eHam.net News for Wednesday 22 February 2017
 

eHam.net News

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Excellent Video from the ISS:

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 04:04 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38693


Recent use of HAM-TV on the International Space Station in Europe has taken
this popular educational activity to a new level. The Collège André Malraux
in France asked ARISS Europe for HAM-TV support for its scheduled contact
with European Space Agency Astronaut, Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG. The
experimental HAM-TV was possible due to the equipped ground stations in
Europe to provide video coverage from the ISS downlink signal. This
particular contact had voice transmissions from the ISS on the UHF band on
437 MHz, with a ground station at the school. As a back-up feed to the
school was the ON4ISS ARISS telebridge station in Belgium. ARISS (Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station) lets students talk directly with
those on board, inspiring them to pursue interests in careers in science,
technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science
technology through Amateur Radio. The contact lasted about 10 minutes on
Monday 13 February and also involved a series of five radio amateur radio
ground stations in Europe equipped with the HAMTV receive capability. These
were linked together forming a chain for the video from the ISS. It had a
downlink signal of 2395 MHz and was streamed live on the British Amateur TV
Club server seamlessly, using Multi viewer technology which selects the
strongest signal.


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'Base to Hams: Field Day this Weekend . . . Over':

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 04:04 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38692


Ham radio enthusiasts in Gisborne will take part in a nationwide test of
emergency field and emergency radio operations in simulated "adverse"
conditions this weekend. The national emergency radio operations event was
named in honour of Gisborne radio operator Jock White. It is held every
year in the last weekend in February. "The Jock White field day was named
after Jock (call sign ZL2GX) to recognise more than 40 years of his
involvement with the NZART (NZ Association of Radio Transmitters) contest
and awards," said Gisborne spokesman Phill Dodds. "The field day tests
organisation, radio operation, co-operation and helps to form an effective
team of radio operators around the district and country. The teams can be
as competitive or as social as they like. "In our case the Gisborne Branch
of NZART operates at the social end of the spectrum but there is always
work for all -- spouses/partners, visitors and prospective members." NZART
AREC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communications) is the public service arm of
NZART.


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FCC Invites Comments on ARRL Petition to Allocate New 5 MHz Band:

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 10:00 AM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38691


The FCC has invited comments on the ARRL's January 12 Petition for
Rule Making to allocate a new, contiguous secondary band at 5 MHz to
the Amateur Service. The League also asked the Commission to keep
four of the current five 60-meter channels - one would be within the
new band - as well as the current operating rules, including the 100
W PEP effective radiated power (ERP) limit. The federal government
is the primary user of the 5 MHz spectrum. The FCC has designated
the League's Petition as RM-11785 and put it on public notice.
Comments are due Monday, March 20. ARRL plans to file comments in
support of its petition.


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New Section Manager Appointed in Illinois:

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 08:36 AM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/38689


Ron Morgan, AD9I, of East Peoria, Illinois, has been appointed ARRL
Illinois Section Manager, effective February 16. He succeeds Tom
Ciciora, KA9QPN, of Sandwich, who stepped down for personal reasons.
ARRL expressed its thanks to Ciciora, who has served at the helm of
the Illinois Field Organization for more than 10 years, since July
2006.